 The cover of BNF 73 (March 2017) | |
| Author | Joint Formulary Committee |
|---|---|
| Language | British English |
| Subject | Medicine,Pharmacy |
| Genre | Medicines Information |
| Publisher | BMJ and Pharmaceutical Press |
Publication date | September 2022 (84th edition) |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Paperback print, digital online, smartphone app |
| Pages | 1,844 |
| ISBN | 978-0-85711-432-7 |
| OCLC | 1338666044 |
| Website | www |
TheBritish National Formulary (BNF) is a United Kingdom (UK)pharmaceutical reference book that contains a wide spectrum of information and advice onprescribing andpharmacology, along with specific facts and details about manymedicines available on the UKNational Health Service (NHS). Information within the BNF includesindication(s),contraindications,side effects,doses,legal classification, names and prices of available proprietary andgeneric formulations, and any other notable points.[1] Though it is a nationalformulary, it nevertheless also includes entries for some medicines which are not available under the NHS, and must be prescribed and/or purchased privately. A symbol clearly denotes such drugs in their entry.
It is used bypharmacists anddoctors (bothgeneral practitioners (GPs) and generalist hospital practitioners) and by other prescribinghealthcare professionals (such asnurses,pharmacy technicians,paramedics, anddentists); as a reference for correct dosage, indication, interactions and side effects of drugs. It is also used for reassurance by those administering drugs, for example a nurse on a hospital ward, and even for patients and others seeking an authoritative source of advice on any aspect ofpharmacotherapy.
Many individuals and organisations contribute towards the preparation of the BNF. It is authored byPharmaceutical Press, theRoyal Pharmaceutical Society's (RPS) knowledge business; and is jointly published by theBMJ Group (owned by theBMA), and Pharmaceutical Press (owned by theRPS). It is published under the authority of a Joint Formulary Committee (JFC),[2] which comprises pharmacy, medical, nursing, and lay representatives; there are also representatives from theMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK Health Departments, and a national guideline producer.
Information on drugs is drawn from the manufacturers' product literature, medical and pharmaceutical literature, regulatory authorities and professional bodies. Advice is constructed from clinical literature, and reflects, as far as possible, an evaluation of the evidence from diverse sources. The BNF also takes account of authoritative national guidelines and emerging safety concerns. In addition, the Joint Formulary Committee takes advice on all therapeutic areas from advisers from expert groups; this ensures that the BNF's recommendations are relevant to practice. In September 2016, theNational Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK gave NICE accreditation to the processes to produce BNF publications; a further review in 2021 resulted in the successful renewal of accreditation.[3]
It was first published in 1949,[2] as theNational Formulary, with updated versions appearing every three years until 1976. The fifth version in 1957 saw its name change toThe British National Formulary.[4][5] A new-look version, under the auspices ofOwen Wade, was released in 1981.[2][6] A study in Northern Ireland, looking at prescribing in 1965, reported that the BNF was likely able to serve the requirements of prescribers in general practice, while also achieving a cost saving.[7] By 2003, issue 46 of the BNF contained 3000 interactions or groups of interactions, with about 900 of these marked by a bullet.[8][9][10][11][12]
A new edition of the BNF book is published twice yearly, in March and September.[1] The current[when?] edition, published in March 2025, is the 89th. It is a tradition that the colour[binding?] of each new edition is radically different from the previous one.[2]
BNF content is available digitally via a website and mobile app, and as a book. The book is available for purchase. In 2023, NICE announced their decision to stop the supply of print BNF to NHS organisations in England. The same decision was made by Scotland and Wales.[1][13] NHS workers and healthcare professionals in theHINARI group of developing nations are entitled to free access via MedicinesComplete following registration (requires provision of a name, an address, an email address, and a phone number). Other visitors can subscribe to the BNF on MedicinesComplete.[14] Healthcare organisations can also subscribe to a customisable BNF via their corporate online intranet.[15] In 2017, BNF Publications released applications for offline access to the BNF oniOS andAndroid devices. Monthly content updates are available, over an internet connection.[16] NICE provides a website providing the content of the BNF for non-commercial to the public, including non-NHS users.[17]
The BNF also includes the Nurse Prescribers' Formulary (NPF) and other NPF content for use byDistrict Nurses and Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (includingHealth Visitors), who have received training to become nurse prescribers.[18]
TheBritish National Formulary for Children (British National Formulary for Children)[1][19][20] book, first published September 2005,[2] is published yearly,[2] and details the doses and uses of medicines in children fromneonates toadolescents.[1]
TheBritish National Formulary is divided into various sections; with the main sections on drugs and preparations being organised by body system.
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